Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6; Mt 5:1-12


Daily Gospel

St. Paul owed very much to this missionary, for Barnabas involved Paul in his work among the Christians of Antioch, who were of pagan origin. Acts called Barnabas "a prophet and teacher" and "a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith." He was an open spirit, convinced that if one had faith it was enough to let one become eligible to be a Christian. Inspired by the Spirit, the leaders of the community of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their missionary mission.

Lord our God,
prompted by the Holy Spirit,
the church of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas
on their missionary mission among pagans.
Let your Church everywhere send
good, zealous men and women as missionaries.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit and with faith,
that they may touch the hearts of people
and win them as disciples and friends
of Jesus Christ our Lord.

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul,
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right had has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.

Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Commentary

Barnabas is often thought to be the one who was not chosen when Matthias was the one picked to replace Judas. Yet we know that Barnabas is the one that vouched for Paul and helped him be accepted by the church and begin his ministry by being sent to Antioch to encourage the young church. And he is described as one that is filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. What a way to be remembered! They are first called 'Christians' and Barnabas reveals essentially what spurred the community to spread and mature, going out into the world with the Good News. He was a missionary, a companion, a servant, a preacher/teacher, a guide for Paul, and a leader in the church.

He obeyed the words of Jesus, announcing the presence of the kingdom in their midst and gave in his day-to-day life, as gift, all that Jesus had shared with him and the disciples. He blessed and was a blessing. Can the same be said of our leaders, and all of us sent to bring the reign of God to the earth today?

The Lord is so very generous in sharing with us His abundant blessings and favors. All that we have and all that we are come from the Lord's mercy and favor.

Blessings received from the Lord are not meant to be clung to, but to be shared. Generosity is a virtue especially fitting those who follow the Lord. Jesus teaches us that it is far better to give than to receive. Without cost we have received, without cost we are to give. May our daily reception of the Word of God inspire within us a desire to share that same Word with others.

Lord God,
let the eucharist of Jesus
bring the light and life of your Son and his zeal
to our communities everywhere
to make them missionary
by the way they live
and to make Christ visible to people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

God of all people,
at the celebration of St. Barnabas we pray:
Make all your missionaries
people of the Holy Spirit and of deep faith,
that they may speak to the people you send them
the words of life and joy of the good news
and cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse those unclean and cast out evil.
May they do so generously, without charge,
for they have received from you without charge
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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